Origins of Classical Western Origins of Classical Western SocietySociety• Who are the three ancient peoples Who are the three ancient peoples

that shaped Western societythat shaped Western society

• What are important contributions What are important contributions from each?from each?

German-ic Peoples

Later influence, with the Medieval period

SPICESPICE

• SS

• PP

• II

• CC

• EE

AncientAncient Greece Greece

5.1 - Bronze Age, Iron Age5.1 - Bronze Age, Iron Age

And the Dark AgesAnd the Dark Ages

Indo-European InvasionIndo-European Invasion

• The first “Greeks” in GreeceThe first “Greeks” in Greece

• 2000 BCE2000 BCE

How does Geography shape How does Geography shape civilization?civilization?

• SeaSea

• LandLand

• ClimateClimate

How do we know? How do we know? ArchaeologyArchaeology• Excavation: the unrepeatable Excavation: the unrepeatable

experimentexperiment

““Archaeology is like reading a book, Archaeology is like reading a book, and after finishing each page, tearing and after finishing each page, tearing it out and throwing it away.” -Dr it out and throwing it away.” -Dr Michael CosmopoulosMichael Cosmopoulos

Bronze Age 2000 – 1200BCBronze Age 2000 – 1200BC

• Why is it called the Bronze age?Why is it called the Bronze age?

• Who were the Minoans?Who were the Minoans?

• Who were the Mycenaeans?Who were the Mycenaeans?

““Iron Age” or the “Dark Age” Iron Age” or the “Dark Age” Begins 1200BCBegins 1200BC– Dorians migrate south 1150Dorians migrate south 1150

• Illiterate but know heavy metalIlliterate but know heavy metal

? Minoans? Minoans Mycenaean Mycenaean DorianDorian

Where?

When/Yrs?

Reason for Decline?

Significant Events, Characteristics?

Bronze Age 2000 – 1200BC Bronze Age 2000 – 1200BC

• MinoansMinoans

– Island culture on Island culture on CreteCrete

– Knossos PalaceKnossos Palace• Plumbing TechnologyPlumbing Technology

– Artistic: jewelry, Artistic: jewelry, muralsmurals

– TradersTraders– Linear A scriptLinear A script

Between 1400-1200: Minoans came to an abrupt end…Why?

Minoan throne room at Knossos, CreteMinoan throne room at Knossos, Crete

Who Were the Mycenaeans?Who Were the Mycenaeans?• 1600-1100BC1600-1100BC

– PeloponnesusPeloponnesus– Warrior society – ruled Warrior society – ruled

by kings & aristocratic by kings & aristocratic familiesfamilies

• Political Political OrganizationOrganizationFour-tiered HierarchyFour-tiered Hierarchy– King’s Palace - WanaxKing’s Palace - Wanax– Regional administrative Regional administrative

centers district capitalscenters district capitals– Small agricultural villagesSmall agricultural villages– FarmsFarms

Beehive Tomb

The Wanax:The Wanax:AgamemnonAgamemnon

– WealthyWealthy– TradedTraded– InvadedInvaded– Mycenaeans Mycenaeans

declined declined c.1200BC as a c.1200BC as a result of a result of a “people from the “people from the sea” ?sea” ?

How do we know? Linear BHow do we know? Linear B

Kingdom of PylosKingdom of Pylos• Pylos – the Kingdom of Nestor, the Pylos – the Kingdom of Nestor, the

WanaxWanax

• Messenia Messenia

Dorians in the Iron Age: Dorians in the Iron Age: 1150-750BC1150-750BC

• WHY is this period also called a Dark Age?WHY is this period also called a Dark Age?

• Invaders from the northeastern mtnsInvaders from the northeastern mtns• Iron developersIron developers• Drove out most southern tribes to islandsDrove out most southern tribes to islands

– Except Ionians of Attica , Ancestors of AtheniansExcept Ionians of Attica , Ancestors of Athenians

• Dominated Peloponnesian peninsula, and much Dominated Peloponnesian peninsula, and much mainlandmainland– Ancestors of Spartans !!!!!!!Ancestors of Spartans !!!!!!!

• Began Olympic Games in Olympia, 776BCBegan Olympic Games in Olympia, 776BC

Homer Homer - circa - circa 800BC800BC

• DorianDorian• Epics in oral tradition: Epics in oral tradition:

Iliad,Iliad, OdysseyOdyssey– IliadIliad : Trojan War (c1200) : Trojan War (c1200)– OdysseyOdyssey: the journey : the journey

homehome– Hector v. Achilles: Hector v. Achilles:

individuals battleindividuals battle

• What is the reason What is the reason for myth?for myth?

• AreteArete

How is ancient Greek How is ancient Greek religion different from religion different from Egyptian?Egyptian?

• ZeusZeus

• Few if any Few if any lifelong powerful lifelong powerful

priestly castepriestly caste

• Religion linked Religion linked to govtto govt

BibliographyBibliography

• Images. Images. http://historylink101.net/greece1/pic-main.htm (Sept 8, 06). (Sept 8, 06).